West Vincent increases security

WEST VINCENT – The township building will see upgrades to its security when the administration wing is divided from the police department.

According to Jim Wendelgass, township manager, the construction will include a partition and a door that will divide the hallway that connects the two departments.

Wendelgass said prisoners transported into the police department have included those who have been arrested and others who have violated the terms of their parole.

According to Supervisor Clare Quinn, the door is an additional form of security for other employees in the building.

“There have been several instances where people who were arrested and were being taken into the building have tried to bolt or did bolt through the building,” said Quinn. “It’s to protect the people who are working there.”

During the board’s meeting on Jan. 14, when the matter was introduced, Suzanne Roth, a resident of Birchrunville, asked why the installation was not performed sooner.

According to Quinn, the incidents were fairly recent.

“It was decided that there would be better control, that if someone tried to (escape), they would have no place to go,” said Quinn.

The cost of the project is estimated at about $2,700, which was previously worked into the 2013 budget.

Currently, the building has two public entrances on opposite sides, one side entering into the administrative wing, and the other access to the police department.

“The thought is that it’s better to have more doors and more security between prisoners and the public,” said Supervisor David Brown. Brown also said that construction is expected to be finished before the summer.